Pub pair's terror ordeal
Two pub workers were beaten and locked in a cellar after three men wearing balaclavas and wielding baseball bats raided a Berkshire pub in what's believed to be one of a series of robberies carried out by the same gang. The robbers entered the George in Holyport, Berkshire, shortly after closing time on Sunday 16 November. The men demanded money from the workers a man and a woman. One of them was hit with a baseball bat and the other was threatened with a knife. They were then locked in the pub cellar as the raiders fled with cash. Police used sniffer dogs and a helicopter to search the area. They suspect the incidentmay be linked to five other raids including a similar robbery at the King George V in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, shortly before 1am the next day. Three men armed with baseball bats and a knife enteredthe King George V in London Road. The host went downstairs when he heard the group enter. He was beaten so badly that he was unable to open the safe. He was taken to hospital and later discharged. Police believe the gang is also responsible for raids on the One Stop in Wooburn Green (30 October), Threshers off-licence in Prestwood (3 November); Spar in Great Kingshill (5 November); and a robbery at the Post Office at Wooburn Green. CS-attacker in pubs ban A 19-year-old youth who assaulted a man with CS spray in a Surrey pub has been bannedfrom pubs and clubs in the area. Andrew Constantinou of Cardinal Avenue, Morden, used the spray twice in one evening against Gareth Greenaway, Sutton magistrates heard on Monday. Daniel Coleman, prosecuting, said Greenaway had been drinking with friends at the Cock & Bull in Sutton High Street. He was pushed by Constantinou, who then sprayed something in his face. Later that evening, Constantinou sprayed him again in a club. "This caused further irritation and [Greenaway's] eyes became swollen and were watering," said Coleman. Door staff spotted the incident and called police, who searched Constantinou and found a CS gas canister. He later pleaded not guilty. Jane Thomas, defending, said Constantinou had suffered from depression ever since he was assaulted two years ago. She added: "He knows he did wrong. Constantinou also suffered as a result of the incident." The court found him guilty on one charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, another of common assault, plus two offences of possessing a prohibited weapon. Constantinou was given an anti-social behaviour order, banning him from Sutton's pubs and clubs for two years. Ex-host's drug shame A former licensee has been jailed for three and a half years after being caught with nearly £3,000-worth of ecstasy tablets. The drugs were found when police raided the Last Orders Inn at Barrow, Cumbria, on 15 August. Licensee Jon Paul Whiteley admitted dealing drugs as a way to clear his debts. Kevin Talbot, defending, said Whiteley was £3,000 in the red at the time. Security warning Licensees in Gloucestershire are being warned to beef up security after five pubs were burgled in one day in the Stroud area. Robbed on Friday were the Priory in Tetbury, the Rose & Crown in Nympsfield, the Bell Inn in Frampton-on-Severn, the Old Crown in Ebley and the George Inn in Frocester. Cash was stolen from two of the pubs. Money was not taken from those pubs with burglar alarms and security locks. Police are urging licensees to check their security systems, and consider fitting new alarms and CCTV and improve protection on doors and windows. They also recommend storing stock and valuable equipment securely. Joyriders cause chaos Joyriders caused havoc after stealing a J-reg Volkswagen Golf from Kent pub the Bear Inn at Burwash last Wednesday. The stolen car collided with another car which was turning into a road in Hurst Green at around 11pm. The joyriders then drove off, but later crashed into a second car believed to be an Alfa Romeo which was parkedin the High Street, Robertsbridge, East Sussex.
